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Causes and treatments of nipple discharge

Experiencing unusual nipple discharge is the third-most-common reason women visit their doctors for conditions related to their breasts.

This statistic is according to the Journal of Cellular Immunotherapy, who report that nipple discharge is the third most reported symptom in the breast after breast pain and a lump. Nipple discharge can affect men and women and is not always cause for concern.

Men are also subject to nipple discharge, which is significantly more unusual and requires a doctor's follow-up.

Fast facts on nipple discharge:

Nipple discharge occurs when the nipples secrete fluid.

The discharge may be a variety of consistencies and colors.

Sometimes a person may have nipple discharge from only one nipple.

Many underlying conditions can cause nipple discharge to occur.

Causes

Nipple discharge can occur in men and women, although it is most common with women.

In women, there are many different potential causes of nipple discharge. One of the most common is a discharge that leaks from a woman's nipples after she has stopped breast-feeding.

Sometimes, a woman can experience nipple discharge anywhere from 2 to 3 years after she stops breast-feeding.

gynecomastia, a condition that causes breast enlargement or tenderness

pituitary tumor, this is because the pituitary gland is responsible for releasing hormones that cause milk production in the nipples

cancer of the breast

Because the condition is much less common in men, a man should see his doctor if he has nipple discharge.

Babies can also experience nipple discharge immediately after birth due to the presence of their mother's hormones that are still circulating in their bodies. This side effect usually subsides a few days after birth.

Types

To help find the cause, doctors will often ask questions about the discharge, including what color it is and the consistency of the discharge.

Examples of some of the most common types of nipple discharge include:

Milky discharge: This is the most common type of nipple discharge. In women, this can be because the woman has recently stopped breast-feeding or due to hormonal shifts in a premenopausal woman.

Bloody discharge: Blood discharge can be caused by a non-cancerous tumor called a papilloma, which can irritate the tissue inside a breast duct. In rare instances, bloody discharge can be due to breast cancer.

Clear discharge: Clear discharge from one breast only can be a symptom of breast cancer. Clear discharge from both breasts is usually less concerning, but if a woman is concerned, she should visit her doctor.

Green-tinged nipple discharge: Discharge of this color can be a symptom of a cyst underneath the nipple or areola that is draining.

While each of these discharge types can be alarming, they are not always cause for concern. Bloody and clear discharges are the most common presentations associated with breast cancer.

What are the treatment options?

The treatment options depend on the cause and type of the discharge.

Doctors will diagnose the underlying cause and then treat it, which usually resolves the problem.

When to see a doctor

Seeing a doctor for nipple discharge is always advised, especially if other symptoms are present, such as changes in breast size or shape.

Any time a woman experiences nipple discharge that she is concerned about, she should see her doctor. This is especially true if she experiences any of the following symptoms that are associated with breast cancer:

a palpable lump in the breast

change in size or shape of the breasts

discharge from only one breast

blood-tinged discharge

discharge that continues over the course of several days

swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone

A doctor will ask the woman about her symptoms and perform a physical exam. The doctor may recommend imaging studies, such as mammogram or ultrasound, to detect potential abnormalities in the breasts.

Following these diagnostic methods, a doctor may recommend other tests, such as biopsy or blood testing, as indicated.

Nipple discharge and cancer

The same journal states that of the women who report nipple discharge of unknown origin, between 7 and 15 percent will have breast cancer.

For the vast majority of women, this means that nipple discharge is not due to cancer. The most common diagnoses for women with cancerous nipple discharge, however, are ductal carcinoma in situ or papillary carcinoma.

If a doctor is unable to establish a clear benign underlying cause for nipple discharge, they will usually recommend an imaging scan to confirm a potentially cancerous lesion is not present. If a person who is at higher risk for breast cancer due to family history experiences nipple discharge, they should speak to their doctor as soon as possible.

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